System for managing table game and carton for discard

ABSTRACT

There is provided a system for managing a table game in which management for which cards are certainly discarded after being used without being dispersed in a unit of packages in which they are packaged is realized in a unit for cartons for discard. The system for managing a table game according to the present invention stores information on carton IDs read by an ID card reader, and a moving apparatus of the carton for discard for accepting discarded cards in different areas in a unit of packages is provided below an outlet of a game table. The moving apparatus is provided with an X-Y table moving the carton for discard in an X-Y direction, and the carton for discard is mounted and fixed on the X-Y table.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation from U.S. application Ser. No.16/062,744 filed Jun. 15, 2018, which is a national phase applicationunder 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/086813filed Dec. 9, 2016, which claims priority to Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2015-257794 filed Dec. 15, 2015; the entire contents of each ofwhich are specifically incorporated by reference herein.

DESCRIPTION Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for managing a table gamehaving a function of managing used cards so as to be certainly discardedin order to prevent the used cards from being illegally taken out in acard game, and more particularly, to a system for managing a table gamecapable of managing used cards in a unit of cartons in which packagesare accepted or in a unit of a plurality of packages.

Background Art

In a game table, it is conceivable to do a fraud act of secretlychanging cards during a game to make the game advantageous for oneself.One of the prevention apparatuses of this kind of fraud is disclosed inWO 2013/172038 A. In this literature, the prevention apparatusdetermines whether or not the number of cards appearing in a table gameand the number of cards used in each game coincide with each other. Thecards appearing in the table game are thrown into an outlet, void holesor cutouts are attached to the used cards, and voided cards are acceptedand discarded in a card carton for discard (Patent Literature 1).Further, in this literature, the prevention apparatus confirms whethercards (for example, 416 cards of 52 cards×8 decks when 8 decks are used)corresponding to a predetermined number of decks accepted in a dealingshoe on the game table exist, and puts and discards these cards into acarton for discard in a unit of packages (for example, 416 cards of 8decks) in which cards are packaged.

However, in this literature, the carton for discard is not particularlymanaged. In addition, the cards are discarded in the unit of thepackages in which the cards are put.

When the apparatus according to the related art confirms whether thecards (for example, 416 cards of 52 cards×8 decks when 8 decks are used)of the predetermined number of decks accepted in the dealing shoe on thegame table exist, and puts and discards these cards in the carton fordiscard, the carton for discard is not particularly managed. Inaddition, since the cards are discarded in the unit of the packages inwhich the cards are put, the number of cartons for discard that shouldbe originally discarded is increased, such that management of thecartons is not sufficient and locations of the cartons becomes unknown.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature 1: WO 2013/172038 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention has been made under such a background, and anobject of the present invention is to provide a system for managing atable game having a structure in which cards discarded in a unit ofpackages in which the cards are packaged are managed based on shufflecard IDs of the packages in the unit of the packages that the cardsenter, carton IDs for discard are generated in a unit of cartons fordiscard including a plurality of areas accepting the cards, and thecarton IDs for discard are managed in association with shuffle card IDsof packages accepting discarded cards, such that management for whetheror not cards are certainly discarded after being used without beingdispersed in the unit of the packages in which they are packaged isrealized in the unit of the cartons.

To solve the conventional problems, a system for managing a table gameaccording to the present invention includes: packages in which shuffledcards of a predetermined number of decks are packaged; an ID code readerthat reads the shuffle card IDs attached to the packages; a managementcontrol apparatus that stores information on the shuffle card IDs of thepackages read by the ID code reader; and a carton for discard thataccepts and discards cards of a predetermined number of decksdistributed onto a game table by a dealing shoe accepting cards of thepredetermined number of decks taken out from the packages, used in agame, and then thrown into an outlet of the game table, whereindifferent and unique shuffle card IDs are attached to each package, thecarton for discard has a plurality of areas and has a structure in whichthe areas sequentially accept the thrown cards and areas different foreach package accept all of the cards corresponding to one set of thepackage, and the management control apparatus has a function of storingshuffle card IDs of packages in which cards used in the game and thendiscarded are packaged and information on a sequence of packagesaccepted in the carton for discard or addresses of areas in which usedcards of the corresponding packages are discarded in association witheach other and transmitting them.

Furthermore, the system for managing a table game described above mayfurther include: a game monitoring apparatus that monitors a proceedingsituation of the game performed on the game table using cameras; animage analyzing apparatus that analyzes images obtained by the cameras;and an image determining apparatus that inspects whether or not thecards are brought to the outlet using analysis results of the gamemonitoring apparatus and the image analyzing apparatus, wherein theimage determining apparatus has a function of determining whether or notthe cards distributed from the dealing shoe, used in the game, and thencollected are brought to the outlet, determining whether or not thecards remaining without being used are brought to the outlet, anddetermining whether or not the cards remaining on the table and in thedealing shoe do not exist, using the analysis results of the gamemonitoring apparatus and the image analyzing apparatus, and transmittingan error signal to the management control apparatus at the time ofdetermining an abnormality in each determination.

To solve the conventional problems, a carton for discard according tothe present invention accepts and discards cards of a predeterminednumber of decks distributed on a game table by a dealing shoe acceptingcards of the predetermined number of decks taken out from packages inwhich shuffled cards of a predetermined number of decks are packaged,distributed onto a game table by a dealing shoe accepting cards of thepredetermined number of decks, used in a game, and the thrown into anoutlet of the game table, wherein the carton for discard has a pluralityof areas and has a structure in which the areas sequentially accept thethrown cards and predetermined areas for each package accept all of thecards corresponding to one set of the package, card accepting holessequentially accepting the discarded cards from the outlet of the gametable are provided in an upper portion of the carton for discard, andhave a dimension set to be too small to insert a hand from the cardaccepting holes, and an area accepting the cards in the carton fordiscard is divided into a plurality of areas in any one or both oflongitudinal and transverse directions, and cards corresponding to onepackage are accepted in the plurality of areas, respectively, such thatcards of a plurality of packages are independently accepted,respectively.

In the carton for discard, printed-out ID information on shuffle cardIDs of packages in which cards used in the game and then discarded arepackaged is attached to or accepted in the respective areas of thecarton for discard or package IDs attached to packages of cardsdiscarded in corresponding areas are cut, and inserted and stored intothe respective areas of the carton for discard.

Furthermore, the carton for discard according to the present inventionmay be configured such that wherein the carton for discard is moved by amoving apparatus of the carton for discard for accepting the discardedcards from the outlet of the game table in different areas in a unit ofthe packages or a distributing apparatus for accepting the discardedcards from the outlet of the game table in different areas in a unit ofthe packages, such that only cards corresponding to one package areaccepted in the respective areas.

The system for managing a table game according to the present inventionhas a structure in which cards discarded in a unit of packages in whichthe cards are packaged are managed based on shuffle card IDs of thepackages in the unit of the packages that the cards enter, carton IDsfor discard are generated in a unit of cartons for discard including aplurality of areas accepting the cards, and the carton IDs for discardare managed in association with shuffle card IDs of packages acceptingdiscarded cards, such that cards are managed in the unit of the cartonsfor discard without being dispersed in the unit of the packages in whichthey are packaged. Therefore, management for whether or not the cardsthat correspond to a plurality of packages and should be discarded arecertainly discarded after being used is realized in the unit of thecartons. As a result, management for whether or not all of the cards ofthe packages are discarded after being used can be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a system for managing a tablegame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cut card according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carton cabinet for discard and a carddiscarding apparatus of the system for managing a table game accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the carton cabinet for discardaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carton cabinet for discard accordingto another embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a state in which an opening and closinglid is removed in the carton cabinet for discard according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 6B is a plan view showing a state in which the opening and closinglid is put in the carton cabinet for discard according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing that cards used in the system formanaging a table game according to the embodiment of the presentinvention are carried from a factory to a backyard and a pit of a casinotable in a form in which they are stacked in a package, a carton, or apallet.

FIG. 8 is an overall perspective view showing the respective portions ofthe system for managing a table game according to the embodiment of thepresent invention in detail.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a carton cabinet for discardaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a plan view showing an example (normal) of a print output ina carton cabinet for discard according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10B is a plan view showing an example (abnormal) of a print outputin a carton cabinet for discard according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described. First, anoutline of an operation of a card discarding apparatus provided with acarton for discard for discarding cards after being used in a game,which is used in a system for managing a table game according to thepresent invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. InFIG. 1, a card discarding apparatus 1 used in the system for managing atable game according to the present invention includes a carton fordiscard to be described below, and is installed on a game table 2 or isdisposed on a side surface of the game table 2. The game table 2 shownin FIG. 1 is shown in a simplified form, and is for a general baccaratgame. As well known, the baccarat game is a game of which win/loss isdetermined by the sum of the numbers of ranks of cards distributed to aplayer 3P and a banker 3B. The game table 2 is provided with a dealingshoe 200. The dealing shoe 200 is a supply source of cards 3, and thecards 3 taken out from the dealing shoe 200 are distributed to theplayer 3P and the banker 3B. After the game ends, the cards 3 arediscarded by the card discarding apparatus 1 to prevent the cards 3 fromunauthorized use. The card discarding apparatus 1 is a card discardingapparatus discarding the cards 3 accepted in the dealing shoe 200 placedon the game table 2 and manually distributed onto the game table 2 by adealer, or the like, after the cards are used in the game, and discardssets of cards 3 of a plurality of decks (generally 6, 8 or 12 decks)accepted in the dealing shoe 200 and collected cards 3 a.

Before sets 3 s of the cards 3 are set on the dealing shoe 200 of thegame table 2, a cut card 3 c (shown in FIG. 2) is inserted into the sets3 s of the cards 3. When the sets 3 s of the cards 3 are used in thegame, the cut card 3 c is inserted into the latter half portion (theremainders are about ¼ or ⅕) of the sets 3 s of the cards 3, and is usedto end the game of the game table 2 in a state in which about twenty toforty cards 3 remain in the dealing shoe 200, in order to prevent a casein which ranks of the respective cards distributed during the game arecounted by the player, such that ranks of few remaining cards arepredicted.

The card discarding apparatus 1 has a structure in which it cansequentially accept the cards 3 a used in each game and then collectedand can accept all of the remaining cards 3 r in the dealing shoe 200without being used at a predetermined timing after the cut card 3 cdrawn out from the dealing shoe 200 (when the game is stopped after thenext game or 2 or 3 games after the cut card 3 c is drawn out). The carddiscarding apparatus 1 has a function of determining whether or not allof the discarded cards correspond to a predetermined number of decks byaggregatively counting the number of cards 3 a after being used in eachgame by a deck inspecting means to be described below and the number ofremaining cards 3 r in the dealing shoe 200 without being used after thecut card 3 c comes out from the dealing shoe 200.

Next, the system for managing a table game will be described in detailwith reference to FIG. 3. The cards 3 used in the game in the system formanaging a table game are used in a unit of packages 404 in whichshuffled cards of a predetermined number of decks are packaged, andshuffle card IDs 405 are attached to these packages 404. The shufflecard IDs 405 are unique IDs different for each package 404. The shufflecard IDs 405 are attached to the packages 404 in a form of barcodes 403.The system for managing a table game includes an ID code reader 100capable of reading the shuffle card IDs 405. The cards 3 used in thegame and becoming targets to be discarded are inserted into an outlet 4of the card discarding apparatus 1, and are then accepted and discardedin a carton 600 for discard. The outlet 4 may be provided directly inthe game table 2. In addition, the system for managing a table gameincludes a management control apparatus 14 storing information on theshuffle card IDs 405 of the packages 404 read by the ID code reader 100,and the carton 600 for discard for accepting and discarding cards 3 of apredetermined number of decks distributed onto the game table 2 by thedealing shoe 200 accepting cards of a predetermined number of deckstaken out from the packages 404, used in the game, and then thrown intothe outlet 4 of the game table 2. The carton 600 for discard includes aplurality of areas 600A as described below, and has a structure in whichthe areas 600A sequentially accept the thrown cards and areas 600Adifferent for each package can accept all of the cards corresponding toone set of the package. The management control apparatus 14 has afunction of storing the shuffle card IDs 405 of the packages 404 inwhich the cards used in the game and then discarded are packaged andinformation on a sequence of the packages 404 accepted in the carton 600for discard or addresses of areas 600A in which used cards of thecorresponding packages 404 are discarded in association with each otherand transmitting them (detailed contents will be described below).

The card discarding apparatus 1 includes a discarded card cradle 5accepting the target card 3 a to be discarded from the outlet 4. Thecard discarding apparatus 1 includes the management control apparatus 14controlling all operations, and the management control apparatus 14controls the respective operations. The management control apparatus 14includes an electronic circuit including a microcomputer, a memory, andthe like, and has a configuration of a general computer such as acentral processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random accessmemory (RAM), and the like. The management control apparatus 14 controlsthe entire apparatus by executing a program stored in a ROM or othermemory, and performs necessary processing. A take-out roller (not shown)for taking out the cards 3 which are placed by a hand on the discardedcard cradle 5 and is discarded one by one is provided below thediscarded card cradle 5, and when the cards 3 are placed on thediscarded card cradle 5, the management control apparatus 14 controls adriving motor, and the like, to take out the cards 3 existing on thediscarded card cradle 5 by the take-out roller and certainly send thecards 3 to the carton 600 for discard. The sent cards 3 passes through agroup information acquisition sensor (not shown) and two cardinformation acquisition sensors (not shown) during being sent, andinformation one the cards 3 is detected and acquired in the groupinformation acquisition sensor and the two card information acquisitionsensors.

Generally, cards of a plurality of decks (4, 6 or 8 decks) are set inthe dealing shoe (an electronic shoe) 200 placed on the game table 2.The sets 3 s of the cards are provided in a state (package 404) in whichshuffled cards of a plurality of decks are packaged, the cut card (seeFIG. 2) is inserted into the sets 3 s of the cards of the plurality ofdecks (4, 6 or 8 decks) for security reasons of the game at thebeginning of all games, and when the cut card 3 c appears, the remainingcards 3 r in the dealing shoe 200 are not used anymore. All of theremaining cards 3 r are thrown into the outlet 4 in order to bediscarded. The use of the sets of cards (for example, 8 decks) enteringthe dealing shoe 200 ends, and all of the sets of cards (for example, 8decks) entering the dealing shoe 200 are stored in the carton 600 fordiscard through the outlet 4. Then, in order to specify the sets 3 s ofthe cards existing in the areas 600A of the carton 600 for discard, thebarcodes 403 attached to the packages 404 packaging the sets 3 s of thecards are inserted into the carton 600 for discard (accurately, areas600A to be described below). In this case, instead of the barcodes 403,the shuffle card IDs 405 specifying the packages 404 may be separatelyprinted out, and be inserted into the areas 600A of the carton 600 fordiscard, respectively. When the packages 404 and the barcodes 403 areinserted into the areas 600A of the same carton 600 for discard, wastesare not generated around a casino table, and the discarded packages 404can be specified, which is advantageous in terms of arrangement.

The packages 404 and the barcodes 403 enter the areas 600A of the carton600 for discard through slit-shaped card accepting holes 662 formed inthe areas 600A of the carton 600 for discard. In this way, the use ofthe sets of the cards (for example, 8 decks) entering the dealing shoe200 ends, and all of the sets of the cards (for example, 8 decks)entering the dealing shoe 200 are stored in the areas 600A of the carton600 for discard, and the barcodes 403 used in order to specify the sets3 s of the cards are also accepted in the areas 600A of the same carton600 for discard. A carton cabinet 601 for discard covering the entiretyof the carton 600 for discard may be provided in order to protect thecarton 600 for discard.

Each area 600A of the carton 600 for discard has a size enough tosequentially accept the cards 3 distributed from the dealing shoe 200,used in the game, collected, and then discarded by the entire number ofcards in one package 404. When the game is stopped at a predeterminedtiming (this case will be described below), all of the cards 3 in thedealing shoe 200 and the barcodes 403 are accepted in each area 600A ofthe carton 600 for discard. The card accepting holes 662 provided in anupper portion of the carton 600 for discard (accurately, an upperportion of each area 600A) and sequentially accepting the discardedcards 3 from the outlet 4 of the game table 2 have a dimension set to betoo small to insert a hand from the card accepting holes 662, such thatonce the cards 3 enter each area 600A, the cards 3 can not be taken outwith human hands.

When the game is stopped at a predetermined timing (this case will bedescribed below), all of the cards 3 in the dealing shoe 200 and thebarcodes 403 enter each area 600A of the carton 600 for discard, and thecarton 600 for discard then moves so that it can accept cards 3 ofpackages 404 used in the next game. Hereinafter, a structure foraccepting the next set of discarded cards 3 from the outlet 4 of thegame table 2 in another area 600A will be described with reference toFIG. 4 using an embodiment different from the embodiment describedabove. A moving apparatus 700 of the carton 600 for discard foraccepting the discarded cards 3 in different areas 600A in a unit ofpackages is provided below the outlet 4 of the game table 2. The movingapparatus 700 is provided with an X-Y table 701 moving the carton 600for discard in an X-Y direction (shown in FIG. 5), and the carton 600for discard is mounted and fixed on the X-Y table 701. However, thecarton 600 for discard has a structure in which it is detachable fromthe X-Y table 701 so that it can be moved by a worker in order todiscard the cards when nine areas 600A are filled with the cards 3. TheX-Y table 701 is provided with ball screws 704 and 705 driven bystepping motors 702 and 703 in order to be moved in the X-Y direction,and the management control apparatus 14 controls positioning of the X-Ytable 701 in the X-Y direction through a sequencer (not shown) of themoving apparatus 700.

Next, a movement timing of the X-Y table 701 moving the carton 600 fordiscard in the X-Y direction (shown in FIG. 5) will be described. In thetable game, the game is stopped in order to exchange the packages 404used in the game at a predetermined timing. The dealing shoe 200 isprovided with a function of transmitting a signal for package exchangewhen one package ends. The management control apparatus 14 transmits acommand for moving the carton 600 for discard to the X-Y table 701, whenacceptance of the cards 3 corresponding to one package 404 in the area600A ends.

The management control apparatus 14 issues a command for moving thecarton 600 for discard when it receives at least any of the followingsignals: (1) a signal transmitted when the ID code reader 100 reads ashuffle card ID 405 attached to a package 404 used in the next game, (2)a signal transmitted when the dealing shoe 200 sets the package 404 usedin the next game, and a lid (not shown) of the dealing shoe 200 isclosed, and (3) a signal transmitted by manipulating the dealing shoe200 or other buttons when the package 404 includes the cut card 3 c forindicating that a new package is used in the next game and all of thecards 3 are removed from the dealing shoe 200 and the game table 2 at apredetermined timing after detection of appearance of the cut card 3 cby the dealing shoe 200, such that the next game is ready to start.

Alternatively, when a moving button 2B of the area 600A is pressed by adealer, or the like, a signal is transmitted.

A control for movement of the X-Y table 701 is performed so that atleast one of the card accepting holes 662 provided in the upper portionof each area 600A is positioned below the outlet 4 of the game table 2in a vertical direction, such that the cards 3 certainly enter the area600A. The management control apparatus 14 moves the carton 600 fordiscard when it receives the signal for the movement as described above.When the carton 600 for discard first moves in an X direction shown inFIG. 4 and one row of the area 600A becomes full, the management controlapparatus 14 issues a command for moving the carton 600 for discard in aY direction (a direction perpendicular to a paper of FIG. 4). FIG. 5shows a position relationship in which the carton 600 for discard ismounted on the X-Y table 701 and moves in the X-Y direction togetherwith a position relationship of the outlet 4 of the game table 2.

An opening 661 is formed above the carton cabinet 601 for discard, and alid 602 is provided so as to open and close the opening 661 manually orautomatically (by a driving apparatus 615). The lid 602 is opened andclosed to prevent the sets 3 s of the cards including the discardedcards 3 from falling into the card carton 600 for discard at anunexpected timing during the movement of the carton 600 for discard ofthe card discarding apparatus 1.

The area 600A of the carton 600 for discard for discarding the collectedcards after each game ends is provided in the carton cabinet 601 fordiscard, but the area 600A of the carton 600 for discard is divided intoa plurality of areas in any one or both of longitudinal and transversedirections. The area 600A accepting the cards in the carton 600 fordiscard are divided into areas of 3×3 in an example shown in FIGS. 5,6A, and 6B, but may be divided into areas of 1×9, 2×5, or the like, inthe longitudinal and transverse directions. The sets 3 s of the cardsincluding the discarded cards 3 are stored in the areas 600A of thecarton 600 for discard through openings 661 on the carton 600 fordiscard installed directly below the card discarding apparatus 1, suchthat cards 3 corresponding to nine packages separately enter the area600A divided into the areas of 3×3, respectively, in a unit of thepackages and are stored in a state in which that they are independentlymanaged and discarded for each area 600A.

Next, a package in which shuffled cards of a predetermined number ofdecks used in the system for managing the table game according to thepresent invention are packaged will be described with reference to FIG.7. The respective shuffle playing cards include a predetermined numberof decks (generally, 6, 8, 9 or 10 decks), are shuffled in a randomsequence, and are arranged in a unique and random arranging sequence,such that they are packaged to be packages 404 to which uniquelyidentifiable shuffle IDs 405 (barcodes 403, RFID tags, or the like) areattached in a factory. In this embodiment, the shuffle card IDs 405 areattached to the packages 404 in a form of the barcodes 403 (which may betwo-dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademark)), a formof the RFID tags, or the like, read by the barcode reader 100 of thedealing shoe 200 or other RFID tag reading means (not shown). Thepackages 404 are sealed with a sealing material or a shrink packagingmaterial in the factor.

The packages 404 to which the barcodes 403 are attached as unique IDcodes are supplied to a backyard of a casino. All of the shuffle cardIDs 405 of the packages 404 carried to the backyard are registered in adatabase (a memory, or the like) of a casino management apparatus 400(see FIG. 1). All of the shuffle card IDs 405 (the barcodes 403 (whichmay be the two-dimensional codes such as the QR codes (registeredtrademark) or may be structures to which RFIDs are attached) of thepackages 404 carried to the backyard in this step are registered inorder to create a basic database. In order to register all of theshuffle card IDs 405 of the packages 404 supplied to the casino, datafrom the factory or carton IDs 30 or pallet IDs 40 to be described belowmay be used instead of reading all of the barcodes 403 of packages 404.The packages 404 may be carried in a state of cartons CA that apredetermined number of packages (for example, eighteen packages) 404 ofshuffle playing cards 3 (see FIG. 7) enter from the factory, or thelike, (several cartons CA may be placed in a pallet PA). The carton IDs30 or the pallet IDs 40 may be used in order to register ID codes of thepackages 404 carried from the factory to the backyard.

The packages 404 to which the barcodes 403 are attached are stored inthe cartons CA while being carried to the casino, and the cartons CA areplaced in the pallet PA and stored in the backyard. Different and uniquecarton IDs 30 are attached to each carton CA, and unique pallet IDs 40are attached to each palette PA. The carton IDs 30 are registered inadvance in the database of the casino management apparatus 400 (seeFIG. 1) in association with information on the shuffle card IDs 405 ofall of the packages 404 accepted in the cartons CA to which the cartonIDs 30 are attached. The pallet IDs 40 are registered in advance in thedatabase of the casino management apparatus 400 in association with thecorresponding carton IDs 30 on the pallets PA and the ID codes 4 of thepackages 404 stored in the cartons CA. The shuffle card IDs 405 of allof the packages 404 accepted in the cartons CA are associated with thestored carton IDs 30. In addition, the pallet IDs 40 are also associatedwith the shuffle card IDs 405 of all of the packages 404 on the palletsPA.

In FIG. 8, the packages 404 are generally carried from the backyard tothe game table 2 in a state in which they are stored in the cartons CA,and the cartons CA storing the packages 404 are temporarily stored in acarton cabinet 501 beside the game table. Unopened cartons CA includinga plurality of packages (eighteen packages) 404 are stored in the cartoncabinet 501. The carton IDs 30 are attached to the cartons CA, and thebarcodes 403, the RFID tags, and the like, are always read as the cartonIDs 30 attached to the cartons CA and the shuffle card IDs 405 by aplurality of RFID tag reading means 551, barcode readers, and the like,installed in the carton cabinet 501. As described above, the cards 3 arepackaged to be the packages 404 to which the barcodes 403, the RFIDtags, and the like, are attached as the uniquely identifiable shufflecard IDs 405 in the factory.

In this embodiment, the shuffle card IDs 405 are attached to thepackages 404 in a form of the barcodes 403 (which may be two-dimensionalcodes such as QR codes (registered trademark)), a form of the RFID tags,or the like, read by the RFID tag reading means (not shown). The cartonsCA stored in the carton cabinet 501 are taken out from the cartoncabinet 501 in order to be used in the next game after all of thepackages 404 in a storage box 401 for accepting the packages 404 to beused in the next game are used, and the packages 404 for each carton CAare transferred to the storage box 401 and are used in the game. Theshuffle card IDs 405 are attached to the packages 404, and until thepackages 404 are taken out from the storage box 401 in order to be usedin the game, the shuffle card IDs 405 in the form of RFID tags, or thelike, are always read by the plurality of RFID tag reading means 551installed in the storage box 401, such that unrightful take-out of thepackages 404 is monitored.

The system for managing a table game according to the embodiment of thepresent invention further includes a determining apparatus determiningwhether or not the game is proceeding correctly. Hereinafter, adetermining apparatus at the time of determining abnormity will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 9. The determining apparatusdetermining whether or not the game is proceeding correctly includes agame monitoring apparatus 811 recording a proceeding state of the gameperformed on the game table 2, together with a customer (a gameparticipant) and a dealer D, as images through cameras 802 and an imageanalyzing apparatus 812 analyzing the images of the recoded proceedingstate of the game. The dealing shoe 200 is a so-called electronic shoealready used by those skilled in the art, and has a structure in whichrules of a game are programmed in advance and win/loss of the game canbe determined by reading information (ranks (numbers) and shoots) on thedistributed cards 3. For example, in a baccarat game, a banker win, aplayer win, or a tie (a draw) is basically determined by ranks of two orthree cards, and a determination result (a win/loss result) is displayedon a display lamp (not shown).

This determining apparatus further includes an image determiningapparatus 814 detecting presence or absence of cards 3 which were drawnout from the dealing shoe 200 by the dealer D and distributed for player3P and banker 3B on the game table 2, based on an image analysis resultby the image analyzing apparatus 812. The detection of the presence orabsence of the cards 3 disposed as a hand of a player side or a hand ofa banker side in a monitoring area 810 is performed using a techniquemainly used as an existing technology by the image analyzing apparatus812. Two cameras 802 are used in the present embodiment, but aredisposed to view the monitoring area 810 at different angles andheights, respectively, such that a blind spot is not present. Two ormore cameras 802 may also be used. The detection of the presence orabsence of the cards is performed by an image analysis by, for example,colors and contrasts of the cards in the monitoring area 810. However, astructure for detecting the presence or absence of the cards 1 is notlimited to the structure based on the image processing as describedabove, but may be, for example, a sensor, or the like, detectingpresence or absence of a specific object using light, or the like. Theimage analyzing apparatus 812 and the image determining apparatus 814 inthe present detecting system have a structure in which they compositelyinclude a computer and a program including one component or a pluralityof components, and a memory.

The image determining apparatus 814 detecting the presence or absence ofthe cards 3 is embedded in the management control apparatus 14, andconfirms whether or not all of the cards 3 distributed by the dealer Don the game table 2 are thrown into the outlet 4 of the game table 2without remaining in the hand of the dealer D and the cards 3 to whichdistributed for player 3P and the banker 3B are not remain on the gametable 2, using the analysis result of the image analyzing apparatus 812.The management control apparatus 14 stores rules of the baccarat game,and when the management control apparatus 14 determines a distributionabnormality of the cards 3 that the rules of the baccarat game are notobeyed or determines a discard abnormality that all of the cards 3distributed by the dealer D are not thrown into the outlet 4, themanagement control apparatus 14 has a function of outputting (815) anabnormality determination result to inform a pit manager of the casinoor the casino management apparatus 400 of a management department of theabnormality. In addition, the management control apparatus 14 turns onabnormality display lamps (not shown) provided, respectively, in both ofthe dealing shoe 200 and the game table 2 when it determines theabnormality as described above, that is, when it detects theabnormality.

As described above, the system for managing a table game includes thegame monitoring apparatus 811 monitoring a proceeding situation of thegame performed on the game table 2 using the cameras 802, the imageanalyzing apparatus 812 analyzing the images obtained by the cameras802, and the image determining apparatus 814 inspecting whether or notthe cards are brought to the outlet using the analysis results of thegame monitoring apparatus 811 and the image analyzing apparatus 812. Theimage determining apparatus 814 has a function of determining whether ornot the cards 3 distributed from the dealing shoe 200, used in the game,and then collected are brought to the outlet 4 without remaining,determining whether or not the cards 3 remaining without being used arebrought to the outlet 4, and determining whether or not the cards 3remaining on the game table 2 and in the dealing shoe 200 do not exist,using the analysis results of the game monitoring apparatus 811 and theimage analyzing apparatus 812, and transmitting an error signal to themanagement control apparatus 14 and the casino management apparatus 400at the time of determining an abnormality in each determination. Themanagement control apparatus 14 of the system for managing a table gamehas a function of storing the “shuffle card IDs 405 and abnormalityinformation”, “shuffle card IDs 405 and time when abnormality occurred”,or “shuffle card IDs 405 and abnormality information and time whenabnormality occurred”.

The determining apparatus (the image determining apparatus 814) has afunction of transmitting the error signal to the casino managementapparatus 400 (through the management control apparatus 14) at the timeof determining the abnormality, and the management control apparatus 14has a function of storing error information in association with theshuffle card IDs 405 of the corresponding packages 404 used in the gamewhen it detects or receives the error signal. The determining apparatus(the image determining apparatus 814) has a function of determiningwhether or not the cards 3 distributed from the dealing shoe 200, usedin the game, and the collected are brought to the outlet 4, determiningwhether or not the cards 3 remaining without being used are brought tothe outlet 4, and determining whether or not the cards 3 remaining onthe game table 2 and in the dealing shoe 200 do not exist, using thestructure described above, and transmitting the error signal to themanagement control apparatus 14 at the time of determining theabnormality in each determination.

The system for managing a table game may further include a card numberdetermining apparatus determining whether the number of cards in the set3 s of the cards 3 taken out from the package 404 and used in the tablegame 2 is excessively insufficient or more than expected usingdetermination results from the determining apparatus (the imagedetermining apparatus 814) and the dealing shoe 200. When the number ofcards is excessive or deficient, an abnormality is determined, and themanagement control apparatus 14 may be configured to generate an errorsignal when the abnormality is determined.

The dealing shoe 200 is a so-called electronic shoe already used bythose skilled in the art, and has a structure in which rules of a gameare programmed in advance and win/loss of the game can be determined byreading information (ranks (numbers) and shoots) on the distributedcards 1. For example, in the baccarat game, a banker win, a player win,or a tie (a draw) is basically determined by ranks of two or threecards, and a determination result (a win/loss result) is displayed on adisplay lamp (not shown). In order to end the game and newly start agame, a dealer exchanges the cards 3 in the dealing shoe 200 with a newset. The dealer opens a cover 452 a on a top surface of the storage box401, takes out the package 404 in the storage box 401, opens the package404, take outs a set 3 s of the cards, and sets the set of the cards 3in the dealing shoe 200, in order to exchange the cards 3 with the newset. For this reason, the storage box 401 is placed beside the dealerbeside the game table 2. Before or after the package 404 taken out inorder to be used in the next game is opened, the shuffle card ID 405 isread by the ID code reader (the barcode reader 100 of the dealing shoe200 (or a reading apparatus 100 of the card discarding apparatus 1)).

After the game ends, when all of the sets of the cards (for example, 8decks) entering the dealing shoe 200 are stored in the areas 600A of thecarton 600 for discard and all of the nine packages 404 are discarded indifferent areas 600A, respectively, the entire carton 600 for discard isexchanged by the dealer D, the pit manager, or a casino manager, acarton 600 for discard having empty areas 600A is set on the X-Y table701, and a new game starts. After all of the set 3 s of the cards 3packaged in the nine packages 404 are accepted in the areas 600A of thecarton 600 for discard, an upper portion of the carton 600 for discardis sealed at the time of movement of the carton.

The card accepting holes 662 of the carton 600 for discard have a slitshape of which a width is narrow so that the discarded cards 3 cannot betaken out, but an opening and closing lid 650 covering the cardaccepting holes 662 is further provided so as to prevent the cards 3from being taken out from the carton 600 for discard. Further, theopening and closing lid 650 is provided with a lock 660 so that thecards 3 cannot be taken out, such that it has a structure in which it islocked and is unlocked by a key (not shown). The card accepting holes662 may be configured to be detachable from an upper opening of thecarton 600 for discard. In this case, the upper opening 670 of thecarton 600 for discard may be directly covered with the opening andclosing lid 650. The opening and closing lid 650 is provided with thelock 660 so that the cards 3 cannot be taken out, such that it may belocked and being unlocked by the key.

Since eighteen packages 404 packaging the sets 3 s of the cards arepackaged in the same carton CA, nine packages 404 are discarded in thecarton 600 for discard, the sets 3 s of the cards packaged in the othernine packages 404 are similarly discarded (drop) in a new carton 600 fordiscard, all of the sets 3 s of the cards 3 packaged in the ninepackages 404 are accepted in the areas 600A of the carton 600 fordiscard, and the carton 600 for discard is then similarly sealed (by thelock 660 of the opening and closing lid 650).

In this case, when the carton IDs 30 of the cartons CA in which thepackages 404 packaging the sets 3 s of the cards are packaged areattached to a carton 600 for discard in which first nine packages 404are accepted and a carton 600 for discard in which last nine packages404 are accepted by a tape or other means, it is possible to grasp arelationship between the carton IDs 30 of the cartons CA, the packages404 entering the cartons, and the cartons 600 that are used and are tobe discarded. Carton IDs 50 for discard are newly attached to thecartons 600 for discard, and the carton IDs 50 for discard are printedout (print output P) by a print output apparatus 680 according to acommand from the management control apparatus 14. The cartons ID 30 ofthe cartons CA and the carton IDs 50 for discard can be associated witheach other, such that both or one of the carton IDs 30 of the usedcartons CA and the carton IDs 50 for discard may be attached to thecartons 600 for discard. In another case, a list of the barcodes 403(the shuffle card IDs 405) attached to all of the packages 404 packagedin the carton CA may also be printed out (print output P) by the printoutput apparatus 680 according to a command from the management controlapparatus 14, and be thus displayed (690) on the carton 600 for discard.

The determining apparatus (the image determining apparatus 814)described above has a function of transmitting the error signal to thecasino management apparatus 400 (through the management controlapparatus 14) at the time of determining the abnormality, and themanagement control apparatus 14 has a function of printing out errorinformation in association with the shuffle card IDs 405 of thecorresponding packages 404 used in the game when it detects or receivesthe error signal. Examples of such outputs are shown in FIGS. 10A and10B. Inspection results (“OK” or “NG”) by the card discarding apparatus1 and the shuffle card IDs 405 of the packages 404 in which the sets 3 sof the cards 3 a that are targets to be inspected are packaged may beprinted directly on a side surface or other appropriate places of thecarton 600 for discard by a laser output, or the like, instead of theprint output P. When the printing is directly performed, it is unlikelythat a mistake will occur since the dealer D, or the like, needs notattach the print output P to the carton 600 for discard. It is possibleto prevent the surrounding peoples from noticing that there is a problemin the inspection result by the card discard apparatus 1. In addition,when a package 404 that is a target of abnormality determination by thedetermining apparatus (the image determining apparatus 814) isdisplayed, it is possible to inspect the target package 404 beforediscard later, which is advantageous in terms of management. Here, aninkjet printer, or the like, can be used as the printer output P.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 9. A configuration in which the game is stopped at thepredetermined timing, all the cards 3 in the dealing shoe 200 and thebarcodes 403 enter each area 600A of the carton 600 for discard, and thecarton 600 for discard then moves so that it can accept the cards 3 ofthe packages 404 used in the next game is described above, but inanother embodiment, a distributing apparatus 900 for accepting the nextset of cards 3 discarded from the outlet 4 of the game table 2 indifferent areas 600A in a unit of the packages 404 is provided above thecarton 600 for discard, without moving the carton 600 for discard ortogether with the movement of the carton 600. The distributing apparatus900 of the cards 3 for accepting the discarded cards 3 in the differentareas 600A in the unit of the package 404 is provided below the outlet 4of the game table 2. In the distributing apparatus 900, an allocatingplate 901 allocating the cards 3 to different card accepting holes 662of the carton 600 for discard is rotated by a motor 902 to guide thecards 3 to the right and left and allow the cards 3 to fall intodifferent card accepting holes 662-1 and 662-2. The X-Y table 701 mayalso be provided.

The following functions are portions of the present invention asimprovement of an embodiment: 1) The fact that a means (a dealing shoe)obtaining information on at least numbers (ranks) and the numbers ofcards of each of several card sets distributed onto the game table inorder to be used in each game is provided, and the card discardingapparatus and the dealing shoe are connected to each other through acommunication apparatus; 2) Fraud inspection technology of comparinginformation on ranks of each card of card sets obtained by a carddistributing apparatus (the dealing shoe) and information on each of thediscarded cards read by the card discarding apparatus with each otherand inspecting whether or not the information on the ranks of each cardof card sets and the information on each of the discarded cards coincidewith each other to inspect abnormalities of the discarded cards in eachgame; and 3) An inspecting means acquiring information on numbers(ranks) from cards placed on the game table and then remaining withoutbeing used in each game by a discarded card information acquiring means,summing up information on numbers (ranks) of already obtained cards ofeach card set used in each game, measuring the numbers of cards pernumber (rank) of the cards, and determining whether or not all of thecards thrown into the outlet are provided as many as the number of cardscorresponding to a predetermined number of decks per number (rank).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it is to be noted that the abovementioned embodiments can bemodified by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. For example, according to the present invention,fraud may be detected in a game other than baccarat game. In this case,the apparatus according to the present embodiment may be appropriatelymodified if necessary in a game to which it is applied. Structures to bedescribed below are also elements of the present invention.

A system for managing a table game further including a resultdetermining apparatus that determines a win/loss result of each gamesent from a dealing shoe and determines whether or not a win/loss resultof the game is statistically correct, in which the result determiningapparatus has a function of transmitting an error signal to a managementcontrol apparatus at the time of determining an abnormality.

In the system for managing a table game, when the determining apparatusdetermines the abnormality, an error is displayed on the dealing shoe.

In the system for managing a table game, the management controlapparatus has a function of storing error information in associationwith a shuffle card ID of a corresponding package at the time ofdetermining the abnormality.

In the system for managing a table game, a carton ID for discard isattached to the carton for discard and the management control apparatushas a function of storing the carton ID for discard and shuffle card IDsof the respective packages of cards discarded in a corresponding cartonfor discard in association with each other.

In the system for managing a table game, different and unique carton IDsare attached to each carton for discard and the management controlapparatus has a function of storing the carton IDs and shuffle card IDsof all of packages accepted in corresponding cartons in association witheach other.

In the system for managing a table game, the management controlapparatus has a function of storing the carton IDs and the carton IDsfor discard of cartons for discard in which packages taken out fromcorresponding cartons and used in the game are discarded in associationwith each other and a function of storing the carton IDs for discard andshuffle card IDs of packages discarded in corresponding cartons fordiscard in association with each other.

In the system for managing a table game, the determining apparatusfurther has a function of determining whether the number of packagesaccepted in the carton for discard is the same as, a half of, or ⅓ ofthat of packages taken out from the carton and used in the game and hasa function of generating an error signal at the time of determining anabnormality.

The system for managing a table game comprising an output apparatus of acarton ID for discard that prints out information on the carton IDs fordiscard, wherein the information on the carton IDs for discard printedout from the output apparatus of a carton ID for discard is attached tocorresponding cartons for discard.

A carton for discard in which printed-out ID information on shuffle cardIDs of packages in which cards used in the game and then discarded arepackaged is attached to or accepted in the respective areas of thecarton for discard or package IDs attached to packages of cardsdiscarded in corresponding areas are cut, and inserted and stored intothe respective areas of the carton for discard.

The carton for discard moved by a moving apparatus of the carton fordiscard for accepting the discarded cards from the outlet of the gametable in different areas in a unit of the packages or a distributingapparatus for accepting the discarded cards from the outlet of the gametable in different areas in a unit of the packages, such that only cardscorresponding to one package are accepted in the respective areas.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1: card discarding apparatus-   2: table-   3: card-   3 c: cut card-   3 s: set of cards-   3 r: remaining cards-   3 a: card after being used in game-   4: outlet-   5: discarded card cradle-   14: management control apparatus-   30: carton ID-   40: pallet ID-   50: carton ID for discard-   100: ID code reader-   200: dealing shoe-   400: casino management apparatus-   401: storage box-   403: barcode-   404: package-   405: shuffle card ID-   452 a: cover-   501: carton cabinet-   551: ID code reader-   600, 600A: carton for discard-   601: carton cabinet for discard-   602: lid of top surface-   615: driving apparatus-   650: opening and closing lid-   651, 651 a: ID code reader-   652: lid-   660: lock-   661: opening-   662: card accepting hole-   670: upper opening-   680: print output apparatus-   690: display-   700: moving apparatus-   701: X-Y table-   702, 703: stepping motor-   704, 705: ball screw-   802: camera-   810: monitoring area-   811: game monitoring apparatus-   812: image analyzing apparatus-   814: image determining apparatus-   815: output-   900: distributing apparatus-   901: allocating plate-   902: motor-   CA: carton-   PA: pallet

1. A system for managing a table game, comprising: an ID code reader; amanagement controller; and a carton, wherein: the ID code reader isconfigured to read respective unique shuffle card IDs attached torespective packages in which a predetermined number of respective decksof shuffled cards are packaged; the management controller is configuredto store information on the shuffle card IDs of the packages read by theID code reader; the carton includes a plurality of discard areas thateach is structured to accept all cards of the predetermined number ofdecks of a respective one of the packages after at least some of thecards are (a) distributed onto the game table by a dealing shoe that isconfigured to accept the cards of the predetermined number of deckstaken out from the respective package, (b) used in a game, and (c) theninserted into an outlet of the game table; the system is configured forthe plurality of discard areas to be used sequentially for theacceptance of the cards; and the management controller is configured tostore in association with each other: (a) the shuffle card IDs of thepackages whose cards used in the game are accepted in the carton; and(b) (i) information on a sequence, on a package basis, in which thecards were accepted in the carton, or (ii) addresses of the discardareas in which the cards of the respective packages whose shuffle cardIDs were accepted.
 2. The system for managing a table game according toclaim 1, wherein card accepting holes for sequentially accepting thecards from the outlet of the game table are provided in an upper portionof the carton and have a dimension too small for insertion of a handinto the card accepting holes.
 3. The system for managing a table gameaccording to claim 1, further comprising an outlet cover that (a) coversthe outlet of the game table, (b) has a slit, and (c) is configured toopen the slit when cards need to be inserted through the slit.
 4. Thesystem for managing a table game according to claim 1, furthercomprising a carton mover, wherein the carton mover is configured tomove the carton into a plurality of positions at each of which arespective one of the plurality of discard areas of the carton ispositioned for acceptance of cards from the outlet of the game table. 5.The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, furthercomprising a distributor arranged above the carton, wherein thedistributor is configured to accept the discarded cards from the outletof the game table and distribute the cards the distributor has acceptedinto different ones of the plurality of discard areas as respectiveunits corresponding to the packages.
 6. The system for managing a tablegame according to claim 4, wherein for each of the packages whose usehas ended: the dealing shoe is configured to transmit a signal forpackage exchange when the use of the respective package has ended,indicating that acceptance of cards of the respective package in arespective one of the plurality of discard areas ends; and themanagement controller is configured to responsively perform a control bywhich to the carton moves or a distributor is operated, therebyswitching from the respective one of the plurality of discard areas toanother one of the plurality of discard areas.
 7. The system formanaging a table game according to claim 4, wherein the managementcontroller is configured to perform a control by which the carton movesor a distributer for switching between the plurality of discard areas isoperated, the control including at least one of: (1) transmitting asignal when the ID code reader reads a shuffle card ID attached to apackage; (2) transmitting a signal when the dealing shoe sets one of thepackages and a lid of the dealing shoe is closed; and (3) transmitting asignal in response to passage of a predetermined time period from when acut card of one of the packages, which is in use, is reached, the cutcard indicating to switch to use of another one of the packages and thatall remaining ones of the cards of the in-use one of the packages are tobe removed from the dealing shoe and the game table.
 8. The system formanaging a table game according to claim 1, further comprising an areamoving button that, when pressed, causes a signal to be transmitted, inresponse to which the management controller is configured to apparatusperform a control under which the carton moves or a distributer forswitching between the plurality of discard areas is operated.
 9. Thesystem for managing a table game according to claim 2, furthercomprising an opening and closing lid that covers the card acceptingholes of the carton, wherein the opening and closing lid is configuredto transition by a key between a locked state in which cards in thecarton cannot be removed from the carton and an unlocked state in whichthe cards in the carton can be removed from the carton.
 10. The systemfor managing a table game according to claim 2, wherein: the cardaccepting holes are detachable from an upper opening of the carton; andthe system for managing a table game further comprises an opening andclosing lid that covers the upper opening and that is configured totransition by a key between a locked state in which cards in the cartoncannot be removed from the carton and an unlocked state in which thecards in the carton can be removed from the carton.
 11. The system formanaging a table game according to claim 1, comprising a carton cabinetconfigured to store the carton.
 12. The system for managing a table gameaccording to claim 1, further comprising an ID printer, wherein the IDprinter is configured to print out information of the shuffle card IDs,wherein, for each of the plurality of discard areas, the system isconfigured for attachment, to the respective discard area, of theprinted out information of the respective card ID of the respectivepackage whose cards are accepted in the respective discard area.
 13. Thesystem for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein, for eachof the plurality of discard areas, the system is configured for arespective package ID attached to a respective one of the packages whosecards are accepted in the respective discard area to be cut from therespective package and inserted into and stored in the respectivediscard are.
 14. The system for managing a table game according to claim1, wherein a processor of the system is configured to determine anabnormality in a proceeding of the game, and the management controlleris configured to store a respective one of the shuffle card ID, whichcorresponds to one of the packages which was being used at a time of thedetermination, in association with information and/or the time of thedetermination of the abnormality.
 15. The system for managing a tablegame according to claim 14, wherein: the processor is configured totransmit an error signal to the management controller at the time of thedetermination of the abnormality; and the management controller isconfigured to store the information of the abnormality in associationwith the respective shuffle card ID when the management controllerreceives the error signal.
 16. The system for managing a table gameaccording to claim 14, wherein the abnormality includes detection by thedealing shoe and a loss to a casino that is higher than a predefinedthreshold.
 17. The system for managing a table game according to claim1, wherein the management controller includes at least one processor,the at least one processor being configured to: analyze images obtainedby one or more cameras during the game and thereby determine: whetherthe cards that were distributed from the dealing shoe and used in thegame are inserted into the outlet; whether any of cards that wereremaining in the dealing shoe without being used in the game areinserted into the outlet; and whether any of the cards that were used inthe game and any of the cards that were remaining in the dealing shoe donot exist; and transmit an error signal responsive to determining anabnormality in any of the determination.
 18. The system for managing atable game according to claim 17, wherein the one or more camerasincludes at least two cameras.
 19. The system for managing a table gameaccording to claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is configuredto: determine whether a number of cards taken out from a respective oneof the packages and used in the game is excessive or deficient using aresult of the analysis; and responsive to a result of the determinationregarding the number of cards being that the number of cards isexcessive or deficient, generate an error signal.
 20. The system formanaging a table game according to claim 1, wherein super-area of thecarton is divided into the plurality of discard areas in one or both oflongitudinal and transverse directions.
 21. The system for managing atable game according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of discard areasare arranged in a 1×9, 2×5, or 3×3 formation with respect tolongitudinal and transverse directions.
 22. The system for managing atable game according to claim 1, wherein at least one processor of thesystem is configured to: determine a win/loss result of the game, whichis played using the dealing shoe; determine whether the win/loss resulthas a statistical abnormality; and transmit an error signal responsiveto the statistical abnormality.
 23. The system for managing a table gameaccording to claim 14, wherein the system is configured to display anerror on the dealing shoe when the abnormality is determined.
 24. Thesystem for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein aprocessor of the system is configured to determine an abnormality in aproceeding of the game, and the management controller is configured tostore error information regarding the abnormality in association with arespective one of the shuffle card IDs, which corresponds to one of thepackages which was being used at a time of the determination.
 25. Thesystem for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein a cartonID is attached to the carton, and the management controller isconfigured to store the carton ID in association with the shuffle cardIDs of the packages whose of cards are discarded into the carton. 26.The system for managing a table game according to claim 25, wherein themanagement controller is configured to store respective carton IDs ofother cartons in association with respective shuffle card IDs ofrespective packages whose cards were respectively accepted into therespective other cartons.
 27. The system for managing a table gameaccording to claim 1, wherein the management controller is configured tostore a carton ID of the carton in association with: a case ID of a casefrom which the packages were taken out for use in the game prior to theacceptance of the cards of the packages by the carton; and the shufflecard IDs of the packages whose cards were accepted into the carton. 28.The system for managing a table game according to claim 1, wherein themanagement controller is configured to: determine whether a number ofthe packages whose cards have been accepted into the carton correspondsto a number of packages taken out from a case for use in the game toidentify an abnormality; and generate an error signal in response to theabnormality.
 29. The system for managing a table game according to claim1, further comprising a printer, wherein the management controller isconfigured to print out information regarding the carton using theprinter, and the carton is configured for attachment of the printout tothe carton.
 30. A carton, comprising: an area divided, in one or both oflongitudinal and transverse directions, into a plurality of sub-areasthat each is structured to accept all cards of a predetermined number ofdecks of playing cards packaged in a respective one of a plurality ofpackages after at least some of the cards are (a) distributed onto agame table by a dealing shoe that is configured to accept the cards ofthe predetermined number of decks taken out from the respective package,(b) used in a game, and (c) then inserted into an outlet of the gametable, wherein the plurality of sub-areas are arranged for the sub-areasto be used sequentially for the acceptance of the cards inserted intothe outlet of the game table; and card accepting holes via which thecards inserted into the outlet of the game table are accepted into thesub-areas of the carton, wherein the card accepting holes are providedin an upper portion of the carton and are dimensioned such that they areeach too small to insert a hand into the respective card accepting hole.31. The carton for discard according to claim 30, wherein: printed-outID information regarding the packages whose cards are accepted intorespective ones of the sub-areas of the carton is attached to oraccepted in the respective sub-areas of the carton for discard; orpackage IDs attached to the packages whose cards are accepted intorespective ones of the sub-areas are cut and inserted and stored intothe respective sub-areas of the carton.
 32. The carton for discardaccording to claim 30, wherein: the carton includes or is configured tobe coupled to a carton mover; and the carton mover is configured to movethe carton into a plurality of positions at each of which a respectiveone of the plurality of sub-areas of the carton is positioned acceptanceof cards from the outlet of the game table.
 33. The system for managinga table game according to claim 1, wherein the management controller isconfigured to store each of the shuffle card IDs of the packages whosecards were accepted into the carton in association with respectiveinformation specifying the respective ones of the plurality of discardareas into which the cards of the respective packages are accepted.